Jean Dorothy Shepard

Jean Dorothy Shepard, 96, formerly of Waterloo, died Thursday, March 16, 2022 at Thornton Manor, Lansing, Iowa.

Jean was born December 6, 1926 in West Union to the late Emil and Dorothy Charlotte (Stannard) Wolf.  After working in a factory during the war, she married Leslie Claude Shepard on December 3, 1946.  The couple was blessed with 8 children: Shari, Rick, Pam, Jim, Marsha, Bob, Jude and Tammy.  The couple enjoyed playing cards and spending time with their families and friends. Jean and Leslie were both accomplished bowlers, and were on bowling leagues for many years.  Jean and Leslie celebrated 44 wonderful years together prior to his death in 1991.

Jean was an avid reader, she was a fan of a good mystery, and she also enjoyed various types of word games.  She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing dresses each year for the girls. She had a full-time job, keeping her boys in line as they were real pranksters and loved to tease her. The boys could always get a laugh out of her. Jean was also loved by many of her kids' friends and always had homemade cookies at the ready.

Jean was a four-time survivor of cancer, remaining strong throughout.

Jean started crocheting in her early 20s and loved making things for her family. She made afghans for her children and she also made baby blankets, clothing and doilies over the years. She was passionate to share her crocheting expertise with family members, and passed it down in varying degrees. She left behind many handmade treasures for her family to have in memory of her.

And one last time from Jean - as we all know - "Oh Really."

Jean is survived by her children: Shari Kniep of Waterloo, Rick Shepard of Wellman, Pam (Ron) Fisher of Harpers Ferry, Jim Shepard of Conesville, Marsha (Jim) Kobliska of Harpers Ferry, Bob Shepard of Rockford, IL, Jude Shepard-Cano of Waterloo and Tammy Shepard of Waterloo; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Marion Matthias of Waterloo and Ruth Mishler formerly of Waverly; and extended family and friends.  She is preceded in death by her siblings: Helen Schilling, Dale Wolf, Betty Fulton, Barbara Wolf and Bonnie Penning. Jean was also preceded in death by her beloved cats, Sasha and Sheba, but she continued to enjoy visits from her girls' cats while in the nursing home.

The funeral service for Jean will be at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 22 at Hagerman Baptist Church, 1105 Knoll Avenue, Waterloo.  The visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the time of service on Wednesday at the church.  Jean will be buried beside her beloved husband, Leslie, at Garden of Memories, Waterloo.

Memorials may be directed to Jean's family for a future charitable donation in her memory.